The United States Kurdistan Business Council (USKBC) hosted Minister Falah Bakir, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) top diplomat in Washington, DC during the minister’s visit to the U.S. to meet with senior Administration officials and key members of Congress.
Earlier that day, USKBC members met with Senator John McCain (R-AZ) in a closed-door briefing on the current situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan region.
Minister Bakir briefed board members on the ongoing negotiations with the Iraqi Federal government surrounding the formation of the government in Baghdad, thanked the U.S. for conducing airstrikes against the Islamic State and spoke of a significant need for humanitarian assistance stemming from the large influx of both Syrian refugees and Iraqi IDPs to the Kurdistan region.
On the U.S. airstrikes, Minister Bakir stated that they were “effective and came at a critical time.” He also added that the KRG has asked for international assistance to remove mines and explosives left by the Islamic State in the towns recaptured by Kurdish forces.
Minister Bakir also called for a humanitarian air bridge from Europe and stated that the KRG needs help building refugee camps.
Sen. McCain, a leading voice in Congress on foreign policy and national security, spoke of the need for the U.S. to directly provide the KRG with needed weapons and ammunition to fight the Islamic State instead of having that security assistance being inspected in Baghdad first.
Sen. McCain, a sponsor of Senate legislation calling for the removal of the two Kurdish political parties, KDP and PUK, from an antiquated U.S. terrorist list, known as Tier III, informed USKBC members that he expected that the Tier III legislation would move ahead in Congress this year.
Sen. McCain also stated that he was “impressed by the vibrant economy in Kurdistan, and the Kurds’ ability to prevent acts of terror on Kurdish soil.”
Sen. McCain concluded that Islamic State understands that the Kurds are its primary enemy because it is in the Kurdistan region that the people have the best capabilities over time to defeat the terrorist movement.
About the United States-Kurdistan Business Council
The USKBC is dedicated to facilitating trade and commerce for U.S. companies in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and to strengthening ties between the private sector in the U.S. and Kurdistan Region. With one of the most liberal investment laws in the Middle East and significant needs in almost every industry sector, the Kurdistan Region presents untapped business opportunities for U.S. companies. The council also works closely with the Kurdistan Regional Government and private businesses in the Kurdistan Region to ensure that foreign investment reinforces the already enormous economic opportunities there. For more information on business opportunities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, please visit www.USKBC.org.
Earlier that day, USKBC members met with Senator John McCain (R-AZ) in a closed-door briefing on the current situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan region.
Minister Bakir briefed board members on the ongoing negotiations with the Iraqi Federal government surrounding the formation of the government in Baghdad, thanked the U.S. for conducing airstrikes against the Islamic State and spoke of a significant need for humanitarian assistance stemming from the large influx of both Syrian refugees and Iraqi IDPs to the Kurdistan region.
On the U.S. airstrikes, Minister Bakir stated that they were “effective and came at a critical time.” He also added that the KRG has asked for international assistance to remove mines and explosives left by the Islamic State in the towns recaptured by Kurdish forces.
Minister Bakir also called for a humanitarian air bridge from Europe and stated that the KRG needs help building refugee camps.
Sen. McCain, a leading voice in Congress on foreign policy and national security, spoke of the need for the U.S. to directly provide the KRG with needed weapons and ammunition to fight the Islamic State instead of having that security assistance being inspected in Baghdad first.
Sen. McCain, a sponsor of Senate legislation calling for the removal of the two Kurdish political parties, KDP and PUK, from an antiquated U.S. terrorist list, known as Tier III, informed USKBC members that he expected that the Tier III legislation would move ahead in Congress this year.
Sen. McCain also stated that he was “impressed by the vibrant economy in Kurdistan, and the Kurds’ ability to prevent acts of terror on Kurdish soil.”
Sen. McCain concluded that Islamic State understands that the Kurds are its primary enemy because it is in the Kurdistan region that the people have the best capabilities over time to defeat the terrorist movement.
About the United States-Kurdistan Business Council
The USKBC is dedicated to facilitating trade and commerce for U.S. companies in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and to strengthening ties between the private sector in the U.S. and Kurdistan Region. With one of the most liberal investment laws in the Middle East and significant needs in almost every industry sector, the Kurdistan Region presents untapped business opportunities for U.S. companies. The council also works closely with the Kurdistan Regional Government and private businesses in the Kurdistan Region to ensure that foreign investment reinforces the already enormous economic opportunities there. For more information on business opportunities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, please visit www.USKBC.org.
